Foreign Commerce. 73 
are not necessarily connected. Those who 
believe that all existing misfortunes have 
arisen from mismanagement on the part of 
government, should, whenever it. is. possible, 
proceed on the same data with those who 
believe that the wisdom of government has 
averted the most dreadful calamities, and se- 
cured to us all the advantages which we 
enjoy. The questions of parties are often in- 
deed highly important; but by avoiding their 
influence, where it is not strictly legitimate, 
we shall render our discussions the more can- 
did, and make some advances, in giving to 
such questions a greater simplicity. When 
political adversaries are mutually deprived of 
their fallacious arguments, they will come to 
a better understanding on the remaining points 
of difference ; and if their spirit is manly, they 
will make gradual and cordial approaches, 
The triumph of reason is equally grateful to 
an ingenuous man, when his own fallacies are 
refuted, as when those of his antagonist are 
exposed. 
I have the honour to be, 
Gentlemen, 
Your obedient and humble servant, 
seneth * t Mie 
Lassoddie, by Kelty-bridge, \ 
12th Jan. 1811. 
K 
